Greetings from HATS

December 5, 2022 Posted by Karen Huxter

Greetings,

I apologize for not having written a blog for far too long. I attempted to do so several times but overwhelming sadness, with lots of tears for the drastic situation in Haiti, would have me crying and walking away, unable to find words to share with you. Today I am determined to push through and write something.

The situation in Haiti has been for a long time very sad and extremely difficult. It has continued to get worse and now it’s dire and extremely dangerous. People have had to hide out at home, both adults and children. Many people have been depressed, becoming more so as the situation gets worse instead of better as time goes on. Food is extremely scarce and what can be found is not affordable. The cost of what can be found is exorbitant. People are extremely hungry and malnourished. Schools have been advised since September by the government to remain closed due to threats from gangs, who stated they would burn down schools that open. A number of schools located near the larger gangs have been attacked. The stress level is extremely high.

Reports show that as gangs take over areas in PaP they enter houses of those who couldn’t get away, find those who are trying to hide, gang rape women and girls in front of husbands and brothers, then kill the husbands. It is unfathomable torture.

Many people have taken a chance to try to reach the US as migrants in old rickety unsafe boats in hopes of being allowed to stay there, to save themselves and their children, from the horrible situation in Haiti. Far too many lives have been lost at sea, others who actually touched US soil were quickly sent back by plane to the horrible, very dangerous situation, they had desperately tried to escape.

Businesses and banks have been closed, or if opened part-time they have not been operating normally for a long time. In a call with a good friend in Haiti this week I was told “Nothing is operating, or operating properly, in Haiti.” For far too long all gas supplies were blocked by gangs. No gas (diesel for us) meant no generator, no electricity, no water pumped into our tanks, no water to drink, to do laundry, to shower. The water from our main compound runs to our next door compound, our school, IMKH. When we can purchase gas both HATS compounds have water.

Luckner, the other director of HATS, is also the director of our school IMKH. It has grieved him to not have our school open and running, seeing our students being educated and being fed (knowing food is scarce in most families) , and seeing students interacting with other students and teachers. Recently, he decided to change this sad situation. Parents naturally were reticent to send children to school. Luckner decided mid November to open the doors of our school Nov 21st, having talked about it to parents on the radio the previous week. Understanding a lot of parents were scared to send children to school he talked with them for a week before opening the doors. The first week we were open he was thrilled to see that approximately 200 students had returned to school. Monday of this last week, 60 more students returned. I am happy to say that presently approx 260 students out of 364 registered are attending our school. Hopefully the remainder of the students registered to attend our school this year will soon turn up for classes.

Josie in class

Jofky during class

Grade 13 with Moise in the back

Anne in school

Thank you to all our student sponsors for being understanding during the past couple of years that it was not possible to be able to do individual photos of your students. Photo workers Liette, Keith and Jim were unable, due to the danger, to go to Haiti to get it done. We will do the best we can for you to receive a photo this school year but due to the extreme danger and insecurity hopefully you understand we cannot make a promise.

I thank God, that instead of our students continuing to remain at home, in fear and depression, they are attending school, mingling with friends and classmates, receiving a meal, and being taught by their various teachers.

My kids in school uniforms Dec 5. 2022

Our children, living at HATS Children’s Home, are well, and all are delighted to be back at school, while still waiting for and asking for Mama Karen to return to them. Our two youngest, Dickieson and Magdala, are doing grade 3 this year. Our oldest student presently, Moise, is doing his final year of high school, grade 13, with our other children doing their various grades.

My girls

My boys

Luc here in Canada, is doing his second last year of high school, grade 11 and continues to do very well in school. He thrives on being involved in his beloved sport of soccer. He is now 5’10” and a very strong young man. He works out at home and at the local gym.

Luc (Nov 2022)

Some of Luc’s team

Soccer match

Sadly, due to Covid-19 and the danger from gangs (kidnapping, killing), Luc and I have been unable to return to Haiti since 2020. I strongly desire to return to the mission, and I desperately wish to see things improve for all those in Haiti, but I see no end in sight at this time. I, however, continue to pray for other countries to send necessary help, not financial, to the precious Haitian people. This chaos and violence has to end.

This Christmas season I ask only for ‘prayers’ on behalf of the needy ones in Haiti who are hurting, hungry and terrified.
Thank you. God bless you. Proverbs 14:21 “Blessed is he who is kind to the needy.”

I wish you all Merry Christmas as you celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Love, Karen

About Karen Huxter

Karen Huxter, the founder and Director of Hands Across the Sea, was born in Springdale, Newfoundland and is proud of her Newfie roots and heritage. She lived in various places across Canada such as Quebec, the Yukon, Ontario, Alberta and BC before moving to Haiti in 1995. In her professional career, Karen worked in teaching, banking and administration and did extensive volunteer work with community groups and charities. A mother of two grown daughters, one young adopted son and seven grandchildren, Karen is energetic and passionate about the work in Haiti. She loves each of the children and has a heart of compassion for children, women and families in the country of Haiti.

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Testimonials

Amazing organization! Had the pleasure of visiting twice, and can’t wait to go back again someday. God is doing some wonderful things at HATS!

Jess MacDonald
HATS Visitor
I have learned much about Haiti in my short stay here, much about generational, entrenched poverty, and much about hope. We can only be part of the bringing of hope if we become one small actor on the huge stage that is poverty. Thank you, Lynn Clark, for inviting me to share this life changing experience with you, and thank-you, Karen Huxter, for investing so much of your life in a work designed to bring hope to those who need it more than any Canadian could ever imagine.

Linda
HATS Visitor
Culture shock for this Canadian team at first, but a ride through busy, vibrant streets proved terrifically interesting; busy markets, vendors selling exotic fruits, clothing and shoes, used tires and rusty metal… and then the gorgeous countryside: banana plants, mangoes, cows and goats and pigs and dogs, the Golfe de La Gonave by our side. Rice patties indicated we were close to our home for the next week. We were greeted by Magalie, a house mother, with hugs for all and, of course, the children themselves, so gorgeous and endearing. A beautiful meal was followed by a sharing of impressions: there is a lot of poverty but so much potential and hope. We are already in love with Haiti.

Team Canada
HATS Visitors
It’s my hope that I manage to touch their hearts in some small way, the way that they have touched mine – in a major way.

Cherie MacDonald
HATS Visitor
Thank you Karen for everything you do, all the hard work and dedication that you put into this place, all of the work behind the scenes. Thank you for putting up with all the craziness that we bring when we come to your house for the week, just thank you times a million and one for everything Karen. I can write about my week until I am blue in the face (maybe not write that long but if you know me I can definitely talk for that long), and can sing about kit kat bars until my voice gives out, but I cannot even begin to try and articulate in song, dance, or other random art forms how thankful and blessed I am to have been given this experience not only once but twice! Thank you – thank you – thank you – thank you!!!!!!!

Kathleen
HATS Visitor
I have absolutely loved the Haitian people and Haiti the three times I have been there. I go to bless them, only to be blessed myself!

Yvette Calderwood
HATS Visitor
This morning, we woke up as the sun came up and as we all began to trickle downstairs; we were met with warm welcomes from the precious children. As the children arrived, we were deeply touched and came to the realization of how important the HATS organization is to this country. Many children who would not have had any opportunities are now well nourished, educated and have a loving home and a mother who loves them more than we could ever comprehend, Karen Huxter.

Nicole Boudreau & Marcia Muise
HATS Visitors
It’s going to be impossible to put my thoughts into words about this experience, so I’d say this – if you can get here – do. I think most people probably think they’re coming to help others. To some extent, that’s true (at least this temporary blogger thought so). To a larger extent, you’ll leave Haiti a better person than when you arrived. Nelson Mandela once said something like “Everywhere I go, I wear you”. It means that none of us is our own person entirely. Rather, we’re the culmination of the people and experiences we have had. I leave Haiti wearing 16 HATS children, 10(ish) Haitian staff members, a Calgarian, 2 Winnipegian’s, and a Newfie. And I couldn’t be happier about it. Until we meet again my friends.

Rick
HATS Visitor
A huge thank you to aunt Karen, who always seems to be doing something with her children and the HATS mission. The only time she takes for herself is long enough to spread some almond butter on a banana that she eats on the run. Thank you so much for all your hard work and unwavering dedication. Thank you for being an inspiration to me and so many others. We love you and our Haitian family very much. The longer I spend at HATS, the bigger piece of my heart remains. Take care of yourself and our kiddies until we see each other again.

Jocelyn Barnes
HATS Visitor
I am going to try to explain why a trip to Haiti is life-changing. No-one can be thrown into a group of people who have the common purpose of doing something for someone less fortunate and not be changed in many ways. As with those I joined in each of the first four trips I made to HATS, my respect and affection for each of the team members grows daily. To those who wonder if your donations and prayers are actually making a difference, I will answer you in this way…there are about 300 children in front of me right now and some or many of them God will use in a great way to change the future face of Haiti and its people. YOU have helped make that possible — AND THAT, FOLKS — is a fact!

Brian En
HATS Visitor